Schroeder Now On Youth Board

Former Franklin County Commissioner Ann Schroeder was appointed this week to serve on a board that helps local youth.

The county commission voted 3-0 to appoint Schroeder to the Franklin County Children and Families Community Resource Board.

The board helps provide mental health services for local youth.

“We are fortunate to have this funding in our county for our kids,” said Schroeder, who was a county commissioner for 12 years but did not seek re-election last year.

Drug and alcohol prevention and intervention, child abuse and sexual abuse prevention, and bullying and teasing prevention are among the programs offered by the Franklin County Children and Families Community Resource Board.

Also, there are programs for pregnant teenagers and high-risk youth.

The organization works with public and private schools throughout Franklin County. The board oversees the Putting Kids First: Community Children’s Service Fund.

In 2008, voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax to fund the programs.

“They’ve done a very good job of managing the money,” Schroeder said.

Executive Director Annie Schulte said there are no other vacancies on the board at this time, but a third of the members come up for renewal or replacement each year.

She said board members come from all areas of the county to ensure strong geographic representation. Likewise, there must be a diverse makeup of men and women on the board, Schulte said.

Schroeder was considered a good choice for a board member because she helped get the tax measure on the ballot in 2008 when she was a county commissioner, Schulte said.

“She was instrumental in getting that accomplished,” Schulte said.

Schroeder has a parks and recreation background. This could be helpful in terms of the board working with park departments to increase options for youth with mental health problems, Schulte added.

Also, Schroeder served as the liaison between the board and the county commission when she was a commissioner, Schulte added. Schroeder is familiar with the state’s open meetings law, which also will be helpful, Schulte said.

Schroeder and other board members are unpaid.

The 12-member board meets in the basement of the Bank of Sullivan in Union, 351 S. Oak St., on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Schroeder’s term runs to the end of 2015 or until a successor is appointed.